Grammar and Stuff

Format of Essays Heading:

Your name Instructor’s name Assignment description Date assignment turned in

1” margins Indent each paragraph 12 pitch using a legible font Sans Serif vs Serif

Unity and Coherency

One topic One main idea One thesis

This usually means that you are writing on one subject with an emphasis on its significance

Repetitive key nouns Consistent pronouns Transitional signal

words or phrases Chronological Temporal

Logical order of ideas Space order Order of importance Chronological order

Sentences – are made up of clauses: both independent and dependent; they are complete thoughts• Simple

– I researched.– Subject + verb

• Complete– I researched a subject.– Subject + verb + object

• Compound (coordinating conjunctions & conjunctive adverbs)– I researched a subject and I wrote a brief summary.– Independent clause +conjunction + independent clause

• Complex (subordinating conjunctions)– I researched a subject because it was required.– Independent clause + dependent clause that begins with a subordinator

• Compound-Complex – I researched a subject because it was required; however, I wanted to

write on something else.– Independent clause + dependent clause that begins with a subordinator + independent clause

that begins with a subordinator

Conjunction For – I am a little hungry, for I didn’t eat breakfast this morning

Connects a result to a reason And – Mrs Hanzek likes to cook and sew.

Connects similar ideas Nor – She does not eat meat, nor does she drink milk.

Connects two negative sentences But – I like to eat fish but I don’t like to catch them.

Connects equal different ideas Or – Do you prefer to drink coffee or tea?

Connects two equal choices Yet – It is sunny yet cold.

Connects equal yet contrasting ideas So – I did not eat breakfast this morning, so I am a little hungry.

Connects a reason to a result.

Verb Tenses 1. Judy saved thirty dollars. (past)

action that was completed in the past 2. Judy will save thirty dollars. (future)

action that will end in the future 3. Judy has saved thirty dollars. (present perfect)

A conjugation of Have + [VERB+ed] describes an action that began in the past and continues into the present or that occurred in the recent past.

4. Judy had saved thirty dollars by the end of last month. (past perfect)Had + [VERB+ed] describes actions that began and ended in the past.

5. Judy will have saved thirty dollars by the end of this month. (future perfect)

action which began in the past but which continues into the present or the effect of which still continues.

6. I am taking Spanish this semester. (present progressive) Present Continuous Action Is + [VERB+ing] shows action that is in progress now or is

going to happen in the future.

7. Yesterday I was working in the garden. (past progressive) Past Continuous Action (Past Progressive) Was + [VERB+ing] shows action that was

in progress at a certain time in the past.

To Semi or Not to Semi Semi-colons (;):

Use when adding another complete sentence with the same thought

Colons (:): Use when writing out a list or to give

attention to a phrase of sorts.

How to use a semi-colon

I researched a subject; however, I didn’t write anything on it.

I wrote a book; I wrote it in a year.

The home is a haven; the haven is a home.

Comma Splice / Run On CS: I am not following the advice of a

doctor, I usually don’t, I am a strong believer of the organic way of healing, I know I can heal myself in that way.

RO: I am not following the advice of a doctor I usually don’t I am a strong believer of the organic way of healing.

Who, which, that – when to use it

Use this words in conjunction with the subject you are referring to.

She loved him, who was the love of her life. The cat loved tuna, which was not part of his diet

plan. The life of Harry Potter is so intriguing that I have

become a fan.

This and That

Numbers (Counting) under 100 should be spelled out, unless it is a scientific or formulated number like:•$100.00•5 out of 90•98 %

COUNTING Numbers:Ninety-nine bottles of cokeSeventy-five booksThirty students

Refrain from using words / or phrases like:•got to drive•do cooking•Slang / colloquial words (words you use with your friendsKEEP these words to a minimum

•really•very•a lot